Beyond Banff: Beautiful Scenery & Accommodations in Canmore

Every year, visitors from all over the world flock to the Canadian Rockies for the sprawling mountain vistas, internationally-renowned outdoor recreation opportunities and gorgeous scenery. Many people default to staying in Banff without realizing that just 20 minutes down the highway, there’s an equally incredible town. Accommodations in Canmore can often be much more affordable while still offering equal access to the national park’s most famous sites.

Here’s why booking Canmore accommodations at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre instead of staying in Banff might be perfect for your trip to the Canadian Rockies.

Canmore vs. Banff

While they are located just 20 minutes apart and many people live in Canmore and work in Banff, the towns have distinct personalities.

What to Know About Banff

Surrounded by a vast and stunning national park, the Town of Banff is built around the tourism industry, with 8,000 people living in the picturesque town full-time. That number balloons in the busy summer months and on weekends, though, as tourists visit the town en masse, often driving up hotel prices and making popular attractions busy.

What to Know About Canmore

Canmore, meanwhile, has a considerably larger population of 17,000 and is located just east of the gates to the Banff National Park. There’s even a bike path that goes right from the centre of town into the park and all the way to the Town of Banff, and the sprawling provincial parks of Kananaskis Country border the town to the South-East, as well.
While the town is a popular destination for Calgarians and tourists from farther away, it is considerably less crowded than Banff, and the crowds are never as overwhelming. Canmore accommodations are generally less expensive, too, with availability being less of a concern.

The small-town vibe is never overwhelmed by visiting tourists, but because Canmore is so close to all of Banff’s attractions, it’s easy for anyone staying in Canmore to see them.

The Perks of Staying in Canmore Instead of Banff

Great, Affordable Hotels

The price of hotel rooms has been increasing in Banff, with reports stating that the average nightly rate in 2024 was $414. Prices at hotels are often a result of supply and demand, and because the Town of Banff is located in a national park, there are restrictions on how and where it can grow and build. That means that with increased demand, prices are going up.

Staying at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre has many advantages. If you’re looking for pet-friendly Canmore accommodations, you’ve found the best, and our hotel in Canmore also has a great indoor pool and hot tub, a modern fitness facility and provides easy access to downtown, the nearby national and provincial parks and a myriad of other attractions. 

This spring, even weekend stays are considerably less expensive than your average room in Banff, too.

Proximity to Popular Destinations

You won’t run out of fun things to do in Canmore, that’s for sure. Whether it’s cross-country skiing at the Canmore Nordic Centre, hiking up to Ha Ling Peak or checking out work by amazing local artists, there are countless free things to do in Canmore during your visit.

And if there are a few Banff National Park attractions that are on your bucket list, they’re all easily accessible from your accommodations in Canmore. The towns are only 20 minutes apart, and while a Parks Pass is required to visit the National Park, whether you’re staying in Banff, Canmore or anywhere else, it’s easy to hop on the highway and visit Johnson Canyon, Lake Louise or the Banff Gondola in an afternoon.

The provincial parks in Kananaskis Country might not be on the radar of international visitors, but Western Canadians know they offer some of the most beautiful hikes you’ll find anywhere. They’re incredibly easy to access from Canmore, and whether you’re hiking, mountain-biking, snow-shoeing or just looking for a beautiful backdrop for a picnic, your Canmore accommodations make visiting these must-see locations easy.

Smaller Crowds

Banff saw 4.28 million visitors in 2023-24, its busiest year on record. That means there are often big crowds, especially in the busy summer season. Hotel rooms can be hard to find, restaurant reservations can be hard to make and there can be long lines at popular attractions.

Booking your accommodations in Canmore just makes life easier. You can easily pop over to Banff to visit, but then retreat to the calmer confines of the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre and the surrounding town.

Amazing Locally-Owned Restaurants, Bars & Breweries

While Banff has some great restaurants, there are many large chain restaurants catering to tourists. In Canmore, meanwhile, there are thriving culinary and brewery scenes with local ownership and ingredients, providing an authentic Western Canadian experience.

When you book your accommodations in Canmore, staying at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre gives you easy access to one of the best restaurants in town. TABLE Food + Drink puts a contemporary interpretation on traditional meals, and their seasonal menu uses only the best ingredients. Their wine selection is expansive, too, and you can drop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Canmore’s thriving brewery and restaurant scene has something for everyone, and our staff at the Coast Canmore are happy to offer recommendations.

Ease of Getting Around

There are so many fun things to do in Canmore, and many of them are budget-friendly and even free. If you do choose to travel to Banff while staying at your accommodations in Canmore, you don’t even need a car. The ROAM Transit system provides public transportation around Canmore and between the two towns, while the Legacy Bike Trail offers a moderately challenging option for those who want to get some exercise and pedal their way through the mountains.

Banff has also taken measures to reduce vehicular congestion in recent years and has increased the parking fees in town. It can often be challenging to find a parking spot, especially during the busy summer tourist season.
That’s far less of an issue in Canmore. Leave your car at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre during your stay. Downtown is only a few short blocks away, and if you do choose to drive, there are lots of parking spots around town.

Planning Your Next Rocky Mountain Vacation

Booking accommodations in Canmore provides you with an authentic Rocky Mountain experience that’s less crowded, just as beautiful and has the added perk of being more affordable.

The Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre is right in the middle of all the action and is the perfect home base for your Canadian Rockies vacation for a number of reasons:

• Pet-Friendly: Dogs receive a cozy bed, a food bowl and a locally-sourced treat upon arrival
• Hotel Pool & Hot Tub: The Coast Canmore has a spacious indoor swimming pool and hot tub.
• Modern Gym: Our fitness facilities include a gym, Peloton bikes and a Lululemon studio mirror.
• Contemporary Accommodations: Rooms include free Wi-fi, in-room coffee and triple-sheeted beds.
• On-Site Restaurant: One of Canmore’s best restaurants, TABLE Food + Drink, is inside the hotel

Stay at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre

There’s a lot more to the Canadian Rockies than Banff, and booking your accommodations in Canmore will provide you and your family with an authentic mountain town experience that’s just as beautiful, less crowded and easier on the wallet. 

Located near the park gates to Banff National Park, staying at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre allows you to check out all the attractions the park offers while taking advantage of everything Canmore offers, too.

Book online today or call us at (800)716-6199.